BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
This application relates generally to corsages or boutonnieres worn by attendees at weddings, dances, or any other special occasions where such items are worn. More specifically, this application relates to a wearable floral display device and a method of making such devices, which can be used in conjunction with decorative items such as flowers to generate corsages or boutonnieres.
SUMMARY
The making of corsages and boutonnieres is a tedious and time-consuming task for florists. Described herein is a wearable floral display device that can be utilized by florists to make this task much simpler and more cost effective. This application discloses wearable floral display devices that are generated from non-perishable items that when used in conjunction with decorative items, such as flowers (perishable or non-perishable), results in a corsage or boutonniere that is easy to assemble, attaches to the wardrobe of the user, maintains its shape, and resembles that of a traditional corsage or boutonniere. The device is of simple construction and can be used anywhere it is desirable to generate a corsage or boutonniere with the above mentioned benefits.
In particular, this application discloses a wearable floral display device for displaying a decorative item that includes a wire through at least a portion of said item, said device comprising: a stem portion wherein said stem portion includes an axial bore therethrough to receive a portion of said wire, a decorative item receiving portion at one end, a base portion at the opposite end, and a mid portion therebetween; wire retaining means for retaining said decorative item to said decorative item receiving portion; and, garment attachment means integral with said stem portion for detachably attaching said device to a garment.
This application also discloses a wearable floral display device for displaying a decorative item that includes a wire through at least a portion of said item, said device comprising: a stem portion wherein said stem portion includes an axial bore therethrough to receive a portion of said wire, a decorative item receiving portion at one end, a base portion at the opposite end, and a mid portion therebetween; wire retaining means for retaining said decorative item to said decorative item receiving portion; garment attachment means integral with said stem portion for detachably attaching said device to a garment; and, a garnish portion integral with said stem portion.
This application further discloses a method of creating a garment worn corsage or boutonniere for displaying a decorative item, the method comprising the steps of: utilizing a wearable floral display device comprising a stem portion wherein said stem portion includes an axial bore therethrough, a decorative item receiving portion at one end, a base portion at the opposite end, a mid portion therebetween, and garment attachment means; attaching a wire through at least a portion of the decorative item; inserting a portion of the wire through the axial bore in said stem portion such that the decorative item is received in said receiving portion; and, securing said wire portion wire to said stem portion such that the attached decorative item is retained in said receiving portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The drawings, when considered in connection with the following description, are presented for the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the wearable floral display device disclosed herein and a decorative item attached to a wire;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the wire securement means used to secure the decorative item to the wearable floral display device and a first embodiment of the garment attachment means utilized to attach the device to a garment;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the wire securement means used to secure the decorative item to the wearable floral display device;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the wire securement means used to secure the decorative item to the wearable floral display device;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the garment attachment means utilized to attach the device to a garment;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the garment attachment means utilized to attach the device to a garment;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the garment attachment means utilized to attach the device to a garment;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the wearable floral display device disclosed herein and a decorative item attached to a wire;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the device in FIG. 8 shown assembled with the decorative item;
FIG. 10 is a perspective opposite view of the device and decorative item in FIG. 8; and,
FIG. 11 is a perspective opposite view of the device shown assembled with the decorative item in FIG. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the wearable floral display device 10 of the present invention. The device 10 includes a stem portion 12 wherein the stem portion 12 includes an axial bore therethrough 14, a decorative item receiving portion 15 at one end, a base portion 16 at the opposite end, and a mid portion 18 therebetween. The device 10, and in particular the stem portion 12, may be made of any suitable moldable material and preferably plastic. The device 10 may be used in conjunction with a decorative item 20 such as a flower, leaf, fruit or any other item that the user desires to attach to the device 10. To attach the decorative item 20 to the device 10, a substantially bendable wire is 24 attached to at least a portion of the item 20. Preferably, for a flower, the wire 24 is inserted through the base or bud portion 26 and twisted 28 to maintain in place. With a flower, attachment of the wire 24 to the base or bud portion 26 is preferred as that area of the flower generally has the most structural integrity to support the flower and allows the wire 24 to remain hidden when the item 20 is attached to the device 10.
Referring now to FIG. 2, the decorative item 20 is shown secured to the device 10. To attach the item 20 to the device 10, the loose ends 30 of the wire 24 are inserted through the axial bore 14 first through the decorative item receiving portion 15, then the mid portion 18, and out the base portion 16, such that the bud portion 26 of the item 20 is received in the receiving portion 15. Each of the successive embodiments of the wire retaining means described below utilizes this initial insertion step. In the first embodiment 34 shown in FIG. 2, the wire retaining means is affected by wrapping the loose ends 30 of the wire 24 attached to the decorative item 20 about the base 16 of the stem portion 12.
Referring now to FIG. 3, a second embodiment 36 of the wire retaining means is shown. In this embodiment a dab 32 of glue, latex or any other suitable adhesive is about a portion of the wire 24 (attached to decorative item 20) and the stem portion 12. In the embodiment shown, the dab 32 is used to adhere the loose ends 30 of the wire 24 to the base portion 16 of the stem portion 12. It is contemplated, however, that the dab 32 could be placed to secure wire 24 to the stem portion 12 at any position about its length.
Referring now to FIG. 4, a third embodiment 38 of the wire retaining means is shown. In this embodiment, a flexible stem portion 12A is utilized to retain the wire 24 in the axial bore 14 and thereby retain the attached decorative item 20 in the decorative item receiving portion 15 of the flexible stem portion 12A. More specifically, as the flexible stem portion 12A is manipulated to create a given shape (for example a corkscrew shape as shown), inner surfaces are created in the axial bore 14 for the wire 24 to butt against which prevents the wire 24 and attached decorative item 20 from being displaced form its inserted position.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 5-7, the device 10 includes various embodiments of garment attachment means. Garment attachment means are utilized by the wearer to attach the device to his or her clothes and are attached to the stem portion 12 or 12A by glue, latex or any other suitable adhesive. In FIG. 1, a first embodiment 40 of the garment attachment means is shown. In this embodiment a fastenable pin structure 42 is utilized (for example a safety pin is shown). In FIG. 5, a second embodiment 44 of the garment attachment means is shown. In this embodiment a substantially U-shaped pin 46 (for example a bobby bin is shown) is attached to the stem portion 12 or 12A such that the open portion 48 is facing the base portion 16. The user then slides the open portion 48 of the U-shaped pin 46 so that each arm of the pin is on opposite sides of the garment and the device is held in place. In FIG. 6, a third embodiment 50 of the garment attachment means is shown. In this embodiment first 52 and second 54 magnets are used such that the first 52 magnet is fixed to the stem portion 12 or 12A and held against the garment surface. The second 54 magnet is then placed behind the garment surface in such a way that the attraction of the two magnets creates a sufficient force as to hold the device 10 in place on the garment. And in FIG. 6, a fourth embodiment 56 of the garment attachment means is shown. In this embodiment a cufflink type 58 device is utilized whereby a rotateable end 60 is inserted into a hole, for example a button hole on a lapel, and rotated to a position perpendicular to the hole to hold the device 10 upon the garment.
Finally, referring to FIGS. 8-10 a second embodiment of the display device 10A of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the stem portion 12 includes a non-perishable garnish portion 62 integral with the device 10A that may either be attached to the stem portion via an adhesive or molded thereto. As shown, the garnish portion 62 may include leaves, berries, or any other item that would be desired in the final arrangement. The second embodiment of the display device 10A utilizes each of the wire retaining and garment attaching means as described above in the first embodiment. For example, the second embodiment 36 of the wire retaining means is shown combined with the first embodiment 40 of the garment attachment means.
While the present disclosure has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.
Patent Application
20090056372
